When the Snow Falls

Sweeney and Christy follow their spring-themed 2015 picture book, When the Wind Blows, with an ode to winter that hums with a zingy, excited energy. Once again, Sweeney's punchy rhymes provide the narrative, following two children through a day outdoors with their grandparents. There's a visit to the nearby forest ("Woods hush./ Fields glisten./ Wren sings./ We listen"), walkways to shovel ("Flakes zag./ Flakes zig./ Grandpa whistles./ We dig"), and sledding to be done ("Saucers spin./ Sleds slide./ Hats fly./ We ride!"). Icy pale blues and purples contrast with brightly colored winter wear and the children's warm brown skin; everyone is smiling, even citizens helping to push a stuck car. A joyful winter readaloud with an infectious enthusiasm for everything that the season brings. Ages 3-5. Author's agent: Carrie Hannigan, Hannigan Salky Getzler. Illustrator's agent: Justin Rucker, Shannon Associates. (Oct.)

PreS-Gr 1--Three generations of a fun-loving family take advantage of an unexpected snow day to frolic from country to city. When Grandma spends the night at the home of two young siblings, they awake to find that school is canceled due to a snowstorm. While the parents stay home to work the farm, Grandma, a young girl, and her little brother ski to town on a winsome belled sled-chair. They make their way to Grandma and Grandpa's house and encounter natural wonders, city wonders, and friends along the way. Sweeney gives a sense of motion with simple rhyming quatrains punctuated by the recurring phrase, "When the snow falls .... Tracks curve./Skis glide./Fox curls./Rabbits hide." The transition from country to city occurs when they briefly stop on a bridge to wave at the plows below, "Trains toot./Cars slow./Plows push./Mountains grow." Softly colorful, the double-page images have the muted quality associated with a snowy day. Christie's digitally painted pencil sketches and mixed-media illustrations bounce with playful motion--snow falling, scarves flying, rabbits hopping through the forest, city folk shoveling. The family members have joyful faces and burst with enthusiasm. Their exuberant dog follows them throughout, even joining the children in making snow angels. The grandparents join in the fun, too. VERDICT Country and city kids alike will relate to this joyful romp celebrating family, snow, community, and the wonders of nature.--Lisa Taylor, Florida State College, Jacksonville